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Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)*'s Reviews > The Awakening / The Struggle

The Awakening / The Struggle by L.J. Smith
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Okay, so I promised myself I wouldn't do this but here I go..... as Kat would say UNPOPULAR OPINION TIME....

I hated all four of these books..... hated..... UNADULTERATED LOATHING!

I had posted this as a two but am changing it to a one .....muahaha... because I am not as nice as I used to be!

Elena is our spoiled, popular, idiotic MC.... and I hate her, she gets everything she ever wants! She has no compassion and is completely self absorbed - how is this different than any other teenage girl you ask? She is the embodiment of all that times ten!! I HATE her!!

And I love L.J. Smith, guys.... I do! I've read her Nightworld series many, many times... and her Dark Visions has one of my favourite love interests of all time..... Gabriel *swoons* :D. So hating these bothered me, A LOT, and not just because I love the show!!

Okay, okay.... the reason I'm breaking my rule to not review this:

I am 100% team Matt!

And I'm gonna tell you why:

He is sweet, he is funny, he is strong and he is kind..... he is everything I would want a teenage girl to love!! He isn't brooding, he doesn't hold grudges, he is loving and understanding without being martyrish! So why is he alone? He is alone because he is not supernatural.... and that fucking pisses me off!! Teenage boys have a raw deal right now, girls are fangirling all over vampires and werewolves and superheroes, how can a red-blooded - most likely clumsy - human boy compete with this fantasy world? He can't! And that makes me sad :(

Dear Ms. Smith, if you wanted to make me love Elena and Stefan .....



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Reading Progress

Finished Reading
February 8, 2013 – Shelved as: dig-your-teeth-in
February 8, 2013 – Shelved
July 15, 2013 – Shelved as: books-i-loathed

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Comments Showing 1-42 of 42 (42 new)

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message 1: by Inge (new)
Jun 20, 2014 12:16PM

Inge I've found that people who watch the show first tend to hate the books. And I agree that the books aren't perfect (Elena is way too perfect), but they were the first books I read for fun (after Twilight) and they were what got me into reading when I was 16.

Having said that - Night World, Dark Visions and The Forbidden Game are much better, though this series will always have a nostalgic feeling for me :o)

P.S. Team Damon bro


message 2: by Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* (new) - rated it 1 star
Jun 20, 2014 12:24PM

Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* I read the books first, I believe, just never reviewed them.

I am that way with Lost Souls by Poppy Z. Brite.... it is this whole amazing nostalgic love..... like my first "serious" book love as a teenager, so I get it!

In the show I am squarely team Damon ( for Elena) but I love all the characters. I am also very Claroline shipping.... Klaus is .... well:


KLAUS ( and even though I love Tyler.... well just damn)

So many amazing actors in the show.


message 3: by TL (new)
Jun 20, 2014 12:29PM

TL great review..These didn't sound interesting to me and I didn't care for the show.


message 5: by Brigid (new)
Jun 20, 2014 12:37PM

Brigid .....i couldn't get past page 3. O.o


message 6: by Lynn (new) - added it
Jun 20, 2014 12:44PM

Lynn Dubinsky I'm glad I'm not the only one who hates this series! I too am a huge L j Smith fan. Her Dark Visions trilogy isprobably my favorite by her. Unlike a lot of people, I read these books years before the show and hated it. The show is a guilty pleasure of mine though. You can't go wrong with Ian. ;)


message 7: by Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* (new) - rated it 1 star
Jun 20, 2014 12:50PM

Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* I think I read it before watching the show.... I got them as a Christmas Present - which is the only reason I read all four of the originals - and I was leery about the show for awhile.... but Ian really does win a lady over ;)

Gabriel from the Dark Visions series..... that ONE part .... right at the end.... I just can't, he's so amazing!!


message 8: by TL (new)
Jun 20, 2014 12:52PM

TL Karly *The Vampire Ninja* wrote: "haha, thanks, TL! I can't say the same.... I love the show ;)"

your welcome.. it was well done (the pilot) but i couldn't get into it.


message 9: by Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* (new) - rated it 1 star
Jun 20, 2014 12:52PM

Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* Brigid (evil owl master) wrote: ".....i couldn't get past page 3. O.o"

I wish I'd stopped at page 3..... I didn't have the heart to tell my brother this was the worst gift ever!


message 10: by Inge (new)
Jun 20, 2014 01:01PM

Inge Gabriel is awesome. <3


message 11: by Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* (new) - rated it 1 star
Jun 20, 2014 01:03PM

Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* Inge wrote: "Gabriel is awesome. <3"

YES!! I loved him so much.... such an amazing character. And I loved her psychic vampire premise... very neat :)


message 12: by Lynn (new) - added it
Jun 20, 2014 01:04PM

Lynn Dubinsky I freaking loved Gabriel. :) I need to reread those books ASAP. That and The Forbidden Game.


message 14: by Heather ~*dread mushrooms*~ (new) - rated it 5 stars
Jun 20, 2014 01:09PM

Heather ~*dread mushrooms*~ Although I love this series SO MUCH, I love that you love Dark Visions. A lot of people seem not to like that one as much. And I think I know which part you're talking about at the end of the last book ... That's the part I always remember when I think about DV. :)


message 15: by Inge (new)
Jun 20, 2014 01:18PM

Inge I've just started The Forbidden Game if anyone would like to join me. If not, shall we do a Dark Visions buddy read in July?


message 16: by Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* (last edited Jun 20, 2014 01:21PM) (new) - rated it 1 star
Jun 20, 2014 01:18PM

Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* @ Heather: I cannot find a quote.... that will need to be fixed (view spoiler)


message 17: by Lynn (new) - added it
Jun 20, 2014 01:19PM

Lynn Dubinsky We should! Try and get a bunch of people to read it. :) I'm up for a buddy read.


message 18: by Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* (new) - rated it 1 star
Jun 20, 2014 01:20PM

Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* Inge wrote: "I've just started The Forbidden Game if anyone would like to join me. If not, shall we do a Dark Visions buddy read in July?"

I'm in for the July Dark Visions buddy read!! I have to get it back from my mom who STILL hasn't read it *shakes head*


message 19: by Heather ~*dread mushrooms*~ (new) - rated it 5 stars
Jun 20, 2014 01:21PM

Heather ~*dread mushrooms*~ I want to do the Dark Visions buddy read! It's been so long. :)


message 21: by Inge (new)
Jun 20, 2014 01:26PM

Inge Great! :D


message 22: by Lynn (new) - added it
Jun 20, 2014 01:31PM

Lynn Dubinsky When in July?


message 24: by Inge (new)
Jun 20, 2014 01:38PM

Inge That's perfect!


message 25: by Lynn (new) - added it
Jun 20, 2014 01:41PM

Lynn Dubinsky Sure :) Can't wait! It's been ages since I've read those.


message 26: by Brigid (new)
Jun 20, 2014 01:43PM

Brigid what are the dark visions, vampires?


message 27: by Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* (new) - rated it 1 star
Jun 20, 2014 01:47PM

Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* Brigid (evil owl master) wrote: "what are the dark visions, vampires?"

No (there is a really cool vampire interpretation though) ....

Check out the summary

There is a lot of different stuff going on...


message 28: by [deleted user] (last edited Jun 21, 2014 05:49AM) (new)
Jun 21, 2014 05:47AM

I think when I read the books I thought they were okay but not good enough to even attempt rereading. I'd probably be on your side *high five* Even though I'm a Damon your ALL right about the Matt thing. Poor Matt...and teenage boys out there being gyped


message 29: by Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* (last edited Jun 21, 2014 09:02AM) (new) - rated it 1 star
Jun 21, 2014 09:01AM

Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* I actually love how the actor they chose in the series plays Matt. He's so wonderfully good at being all those things I mentioned. I am very team Damon in the show but the books made me all meh about it because I hated Elena.


message 30: by Inge (new)
Jun 21, 2014 09:25AM

Inge Zach Roerig is a great Matt. I read a few short stories about Matt and Elena and I didn't like the way Matt mentioned every little perfect thing about Elena. Elena is popular but not bitchy, she's so nice, she's so pretty, she's a maiden, even her toes are perfect. Stuff like that, you know? I get that you're in love with the girl, but I don't believe she poops glitter.


message 31: by [deleted user] (new)
Jun 21, 2014 10:06AM

But Inge...she does poop glitter


message 32: by Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* (new) - rated it 1 star
Jun 21, 2014 07:16PM

Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* Ugh, I this is what I mean about the books!! No one is that fucking perfectly popular (the kind that doesn't even allow bad thoughts to cross people's minds).... Unless your in a Nicholas sparks book *pukes*


message 33: by Inge (new)
Jun 22, 2014 12:58AM

Inge Kat Stark wrote: "But Inge...she does poop glitter"

D:<


message 34: by Kelly (and the Book Boar) (new) - rated it 1 star
Aug 14, 2014 02:46PM

Kelly (and the Book Boar) Ha! I love this review.


message 35: by Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* (new) - rated it 1 star
Aug 14, 2014 02:51PM

Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* Thanks, Kelly ;)

I should add an arts and crafts project to the next book I loathe lol could be a fun past time!


message 36: by Kristin (new)
Aug 14, 2014 02:52PM

Kristin Haha great review. You know, I have NO idea if I read these or not. I read a TON of this stuff in the early 90's, R.L. Stine, Christopher Pike, etc. I just really can't remember. I love the show though. I adore Matt, he is the ideal boyfriend. But....I am 100% team Damon. *drool* Can't help it.


message 37: by Kelly (and the Book Boar) (new) - rated it 1 star
Aug 14, 2014 02:53PM

Kelly (and the Book Boar) Karly *The Vampire Ninja* wrote: "Thanks, Kelly ;)

I should add an arts and crafts project to the next book I loathe lol could be a fun past time!"

It can also be after you read something you love - Game of Thrones inspired me to get crafty too ; )


message 38: by Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* (last edited Aug 14, 2014 02:57PM) (new) - rated it 1 star
Aug 14, 2014 02:57PM

Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* In the show I am all over Damon!! Ian Somerhalder.... it's a no brainer!!

Although I do crush pretty hard on Joseph Morgan and Michael Trevino, also!


message 39: by Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* (new) - rated it 1 star
Aug 14, 2014 02:58PM

Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* @ Kristin, I was a HUGE R.L. Stine & Christopher Pike reader back then too ( or more mid to late 90's for me)..... and I vaguely recall a few of them but it's all wishy-washy in my memory bank....


message 40: by Kristin (new)
Aug 14, 2014 03:07PM

Kristin Have you seen his foundation? Makes him a million times hotter in my book. Hot and an animal and environmental activist. Oh emm gee.



https://www.facebook.com/ISFoundation...


message 42: by Kristin (new)
Aug 14, 2014 03:17PM

Kristin lol no doubt


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